RYAN'S TIMELY RIVERBOAT PLAN

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Casino gambling was legalized in Illinois to create jobs and enhance the tax base.

And it's working.

Despite persistent concerns about the morality of gambling and political nagging about who got what, the first 10 riverboat operations have been economic hits, not just for investors but for the communities in which they are located.

Trouble is, the corner of the state with the biggest potential and greatest need has yet to be dealt in.

The people of Chicago and suburban Cook County, nearly half the state's population, still must take their gambling dollars to outlying communities if they wish to play.

In hindsight it is clear that Chicago and Cook County should have been included from the start.

But now that the initial 10 licensees are in place (and in no hurry to welcome new competition), and now that the Republican majority in Springfield appears intent on antagonizing city Democrats at every opportunity, prospects for doing right by Chicago and Cook County have grown dimmer by the day.

That's why Secretary of State George Ryan's proposal to mint another 10 riverboat licenses--five for Chicago and five for the suburbs--deserves strong praise and serious consideration.

Not that Ryan's plan is perfect in every detail--it is not--but he, like Gov. Jim Edgar of late, has shown a desire to move beyond the political one-upmanship that has obsessed the so-called legislative leaders .

Ryan's idea is to put five boats in Chicago, three in suburban Cook County and two in Lake County. Specific locations aren't identified, nor are they central to Ryan's thinking.

That mix, however, would enable Mayor Richard Daley to proceed with the city's multiboat casino-and-amusement complex and would allow as well for a facility near O'Hare Airport or Arlington International Racecourse or both, plus a boat in the Chain-O-Lakes and in Waukegan harbor.

Another plus is Ryan's proposed increase of the state tax on each boat's adjusted gross to 25 percent from 20 percent. The original rate was set when it was unclear how profitable the boats would be. Turns out they are extremely profitable and should pay more.

As for what's not to like, there's Ryan's earmarking of all additional gambling tax revenues to retiring the state's $1.5 billion Medicaid debt. Yes, the state should pay these overdue bills, and yes, the linkage might help sell the plan politically.

But such gimmicks ought not to be necessary to prod the state legislature into treating fairly half the citizens of Illinois.